Nintendo NX reportedly delayed to 2017 to add VR functionality

Two months ago, Nintendo confirmed that its next-gen NX console would release in March 2017. This came as a shock to some gamers, as all signs were pointing to Nintendo revealing the console at E3 in June and launching it sometime this fall. But according to a new DigiTimes report, Nintendo still has plenty of work to do before it can think about bringing the console to market.

Sources from an upstream supply chain tell DigiTimes that the console maker delayed mass production from mid-2016 to early 2017 in order to “enhance the game console’s video-game/handheld-game-integrated gaming experience and add virtual reality function into the system.”

We’ve known for many months that the next major console from Nintendo would feature a handheld device of some nature, but any leaks have swiftly been debunked as fakes. DigiTimes’ sources say that the console will feature a 5- to 7-inch display, a controller and a joystick, but can connect to a TV as well.

The report also claims that Nintendo had originally planned on producing upwards of 20 million units for the first year, but has since adjusted its target to 9.5-10 million units instead. Considering the failure of the Wii U, it makes sense that Nintendo would want to play this one a bit more cautiously than before.